Why Raising Room Rates Will Hurt Hotels

Hotel unions have to face reality (“Workers at 4 Hotels in S.F. Go on Strike,” Sept. 30).

The hotel industry is competitive. Management must fill rooms and provide the best service with complete accommodations, all at a reasonable rate.

San Francisco is already perceived as a very expensive business and tourist destination. Raising room rates to pay for more benefits for employees is not productive. Increased rates adversely affect occupancy, and that in turn reduces the need for hotel workers.

The grocery store strike in Central and Southern California is a good lesson learned. Grocery workers had to accept that there were limits on what an employer, and their customers, could provide. Simply raising prices is easier said than done.

Consumers’ budgets are limited too.

Maryann Maloney

Los Angeles